Coral Reef Collapse Spells Danger for Millions

Island communities that depend on coral island fisheries could face a hungry future, according to new research from the University of East Anglia, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science and Simon Fraser University in Canada. The report on island coral reef fisheries reveals that 55 percent of the 49 island countries reviewed were being exploited unsustainably.

Fish landings are currently 64 percent higher than can be sustained. In order to support this level of exploitation, an additional 75,000 square kilometers of coral reef would be needed- an area 3.7 times greater than Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. These figures will nearly triple by 2050, given current human population growth projections.

Katie Newton undertook a survey of the landing catches of 49 island nations across the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans.

"Millions of people are dependent on coral reef fisheries," she said. "We are facing a global crisis among communities which have limited alternative livelihoods or major food sources. Coral reef ecologists have tended to focus on specific issues rather than the big picture of the resilience of these fisheries when faced with extensive over-exploitation. Scientists need to work hand-in-hand with development agencies to address this pressing situation."

Copyright Compass Publications, Inc. Jun 2007